For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
In most cases the birth of a child is an exciting event in the life of a family. It was in ours. Of course the births of our children were special to their mom and I, but, with the exception of other family members, their births didn’t mean that much and were nothing out of the ordinary to the rest of the world. But during the time of year we call Christmas we celebrate the birth of a child whose entry into this world had infinite implications to the whole of God’s creation.
Luke writes, And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-11 ESV) The birth of this child was the fulfillment of the words spoken by Isaiah the prophet: Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14 ESV)
This child is the one of whom John spoke: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4 ESV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 ESV) And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. (1 John 4:14 ESV)
The writer of Hebrews said of this child, He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:3 ESV) Paul also wrote concerning this child. He said, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. (Colossians 1:15-19 ESV)
God the Father could later say of this child, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17 ESV) He was well pleased because the child (now a grown man) was the exact representation of himself. This was no ordinary child. This child was the manifestation of the Majestic Glory (2 Peter 1:17); the infinite God poured into human flesh.
What do you say about this child whose birth we celebrate each year? Who is this child to you?
Scriptures for meditation:
Philippians 2:6-11